Has anyone noted any recent influx of black-billed gulls in the last 2-3 weeks particularly in the Kaikoura area? We have had a large number overwintering here in the Wairarapa around the eastern side of the Lake on wet pasture. Numbers of 500-800 have been recorded. Our resident colony only numbers about 200. The large group has suddenly disappeared and we would love to know if they have headed off somewhere to breed. We suspect they may have come from the Clarence/Kaikoura area as in previous years we have seen one or two banded birds here from that area.
Any information would be welcome.
Black-billed gulls: any influx noted?
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Re: Black-billed gulls: any influx noted?
Hi Joanna
Just went down to the Clarence yesterday to check if the black-bills had begun nesting there but there were no birds present. Then checked Kekerengu (where they have bred before) and no luck there either. Eventually I found them at the Ure/Waima River mouth. ~110 birds present and half a dozen well formed nests. Plenty of mating and nest building observed too so looks like they will nest there this season. According to Mike they haven't bred there for ~15 years. Will be visiting there fairly regularly to continue band resighting. I imagine that since they are just setting up to breed there, their numbers will increase.
Just went down to the Clarence yesterday to check if the black-bills had begun nesting there but there were no birds present. Then checked Kekerengu (where they have bred before) and no luck there either. Eventually I found them at the Ure/Waima River mouth. ~110 birds present and half a dozen well formed nests. Plenty of mating and nest building observed too so looks like they will nest there this season. According to Mike they haven't bred there for ~15 years. Will be visiting there fairly regularly to continue band resighting. I imagine that since they are just setting up to breed there, their numbers will increase.
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Re: Black-billed gulls: any influx noted?
Thanks for that information Patrick. I hope that colony is successful. If you see any orange-banded birds we would love to know as they were banded here (Wairarapa).
Still a mystery then as to where our large group went.
Still a mystery then as to where our large group went.